Airbnb’s New Services & Originals: What They Mean for STR Hosts
“Airbnb isn’t just a booking platform anymore — it’s becoming an ecosystem. Here’s how to leverage their new services and original experiences to boost your revenue, reviews, and long-term brand value.”
At a Glance: Key Takeaways
- Airbnb Services & Originals expand beyond bookings — offering curated guest experiences, tools, and upgrades.
- Hosts can increase ADR and reviews by aligning properties with these new features.
- Diversification matters: STR hosts who adapt quickly to Airbnb’s ecosystem will stand out in crowded markets.
- Tax strategy still plays a role — extra income from services and upsells can be offset with deductions.
- The bottom line: Airbnb’s pivot opens new ways to monetize, but only for investors who build hospitality-driven systems.
What Are Airbnb Services & Originals?
In 2025, Airbnb quietly began rolling out “Services” and “Originals” — expansions designed to make the platform more than just a booking site.
- Airbnb Services: Add-ons like in-home chefs, guided local tours, curated cleaning packages, and premium upsell experiences.
- Airbnb Originals: Branded, Airbnb-designed stays and experiences, blending Netflix-style “content ownership” with hospitality. Think iconic cabins, creative stays, or partnerships with lifestyle brands.
These changes echo what STR Insights and TheAirbnbDataGuy have been warning about: Airbnb wants to control not just bookings, but the whole guest experience ecosystem.
“The hosts who adapt fastest will own the next wave of Airbnb wealth.” – STR Insights
Why This Matters for STR Hosts
1. Boosting ADR Through Curated Add-Ons
If you’re already offering hot tubs, fire pits, or game rooms, pairing them with Airbnb Services creates new upsell opportunities. Guests are increasingly willing to pay extra for convenience and curated experiences.
For example:
- $50–$100 extra per stay for a stocked fridge service.
- $100+ for curated tours or private chef nights.
- Premium cleaning charges justified by aligning with Airbnb-approved services.
2. Standing Out in a Saturated Market
With 2024 seeing a surge in new STR listings, differentiation is key. Airbnb Originals will likely feature heavily in search results — and guests will naturally lean toward listings that feel “Airbnb official.”
Hosts who model their designs and hospitality standards around Originals-style properties (think Instagram-worthy cabins, clean branding, smart upgrades) will rank higher and book faster.
3. Diversifying Beyond Nightly Rates
High-income W2 earners entering STRs often focus narrowly on ADR (Average Daily Rate). But with Services and Originals, you’re now competing in an ecosystem that rewards per-stay upsells, brand partnerships, and add-on experiences.
This shift resembles hotel revenue management strategies — where room rates are just the start of profit.
How STR Investors Can Leverage These Changes
Align Property Design with Originals
- Study Airbnb Originals listings as they roll out.
- Upgrade furnishings and staging to mirror that aspirational “Airbnb standard.”
- Invest in amenities with proven ROI — see our guide: 7 Airbnb Upgrades That Drive Reviews, ADR & Occupancy.
Use Services to Justify Premium Pricing
- Bundle experiences with your stays: offer curated welcome baskets, outdoor game sets, or local guidebooks.
- Consider Amazon-ready hospitality kits — like this Infuse 300-Piece Toiletries Set (affiliate). Small touches = higher reviews.
👉 Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Layer Tax Strategy Into Your New Revenue
Extra income = extra taxes, unless planned for. With the return of 100% bonus depreciation in 2025, STR investors can offset upsell revenue with accelerated write-offs. See our full guide: Advanced Tax Strategies for STR Investors.
Side-by-Side: Old Airbnb vs. New Airbnb
| Airbnb Then (Pre-2024) | Airbnb Now (2025+) |
|---|---|
| Simple booking platform | Full-service ecosystem (Services + Originals) |
| Host sets nightly rate | Airbnb-curated upsells & add-ons |
| Differentiation = design | Differentiation = design + experiences |
| Income = ADR + cleaning fee | Income = ADR + upsells + services |
The Big Picture
Airbnb’s pivot mirrors Netflix’s Originals model: create branded content that locks in loyalty and sidelines competitors. For STR hosts, this means you can either:
- Lean in and align your property with Airbnb’s new standard, or
- Risk being left behind as Airbnb directs traffic to its Originals and curated services.
For high-income W2 earners looking to diversify, this is a wake-up call: STR investing isn’t just about owning property anymore — it’s about owning the guest experience.